The New Way Since 1988, Chrysler has been using infrared drying suc- cessfully at its Belvidere, IL, automobile assembly line. The proven reliability of this technology was a factor in the deci- sion to install electric IR spray painting ovens (spovens) at the Stickney Avenue Jeep plant. Chrysler installed two 415-kW electric IR spovens with 34 computer-controlled de- ments at the plant. Line-of-sight IR curing is possible with the new system. This configuration assures the assignment of heating elements to just those specific areas of the vehicle that have undergone repair. With the electric IR spovens, it is not necessary to heat an entire vehicle to repair a small scratch, as would be the case with gas ovens. I The IR emitters heat the body of the vehicle at the repair point, driving out solvents and setting the paint. Ten pyrom- eters accurately measure the Jeep's surface temperature and